Save money and save the planet

A local conservation charity is calling on people to combat climate change – and save money in the process. Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo, is raising awareness and stimulating action on climate change as part of the international Pole to Pole campaign. By saving energy and CO2 emissions, people could save pounds on their electricity bills.

Living Coasts spokesperson Phil Knowling said: “Scientists are clear about the devastating effects on human well-being, the natural world and its biodiversity that global warming above 2⁰C will have. The Pole to Pole campaign is seeking the commitment of national governments and the European Union to measures which help keep global warming under the crucial 2⁰C limit, and to work towards a binding global agreement at the intergovernmental meeting on climate change in Paris in December 2015.”

So scientists are doing their bit. What about the rest of us? We can help – we can turn things off. It’s that simple. Leaving devices like mobile ‘phones, tablets, TVs and games consoles on standby uses energy. As a continent we are pumping out about 19 million tonnes of C02 per year to make power no one uses. Altogether, standby power is responsible for about 1% of global CO2 emissions. It’s a waste of energy and a waste of money.

How much money? Well, of course it varies from home to home – but it could be 6% of your electricity bill. By switching off your energy-sucking appliances you will help the environment but also save yourself money – perhaps as much as £30 a year.

At Living Coasts there is a display in the children’s area with a pledge wall. People can pledge to turn off appliances and save wasted power. The Pole to Pole online petition can be found here: http://www.poletopolecampaign.org/it-is-time-to-act-2-degrees-is-the-limit/

So sign up and pledge to Pull the Plug – for you and for the planet it’s a win-win.